Former Bald Head Island employees say they feel bullied

BRUNSWICK COUNTY, NC (WWAY)– Bald Head Island insiders say something is going on with the village’s management.

Several former employees have come forward after nine public safety officers got in trouble for personnel issues, but management refuses to talk. The former employees are saying village manager Calvin Peck and human resources director Karen Ellison mistreat workers and do not follow policies.

Jack Baker who worked as a firefighter for six years says they mistreated him and the recently dismissed officers.

“Karen Ellison and Calvin Peck are bullies,” Baker said.

Baker says they mistreat residents also.

“Absolutely, because residents will come in there voicing their opinions,” Baker said. “They absolutely have no voice.”

When we asked why he thinks they do it, Baker said it’s because they can.

“What they constantly hold onto is that North Carolina is an at-will employee state,” he said. “They basically threaten people and make them feel unsafe in their job and that they will terminate you for any reason.”

Not everyone agrees. Harper Peterson was once mayor of Wilmington. Now he is busy running businesses on Bald Head Island.

“They’ve got a very well run government on the island and public services, they do a good job.”

Peterson said the dismissed officers were good employees as well.

We called Peck, Ellison, every council member and the mayor. They all refused to talk. When we reached mayor Andy Sayre this afternoon, he referred us to Karen Ellison saying, “I have another job, and I’m busy with that.” Then he hung up on us.